[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 26, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65191-65192]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-25603]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request;

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
establish this collection. In accordance with the requirements of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing opportunity for 
public comment on this action. After obtaining and considering public 
comment, NSF will prepare the submission requesting Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) clearance of this collection for no longer 
than 3 years.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by January 27, 
2020 to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be

[[Page 65192]]

considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to address below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 
W18200, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send 
email to [email protected]. Individuals who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay 
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 
days a week, 365 days a year (including Federal holidays).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for Community 
Facility Support awards made by the Division of Earth Sciences 
Instrumentation and Facilities Program under NSF 16-609 and for Support 
of National or Regional Multi-User Facilities awards under NSF 15-516.
    OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an 
information collection.
    Proposed Project: Use of the Information:
    The NSF Division of Earth Sciences Instrumentation and Facilities 
(EAR/IF) Program has long supported Community Facilities or National or 
Regional Multi-User Facilities (hereafter Facilities or Facility) to 
make complex and expensive instruments, systems of instruments or 
services broadly available to the Earth science research and education 
communities. In proposals requesting renewal of Facility support and/or 
in submitted Annual and Final Progress Reports, investigators have 
typically reported a number of performance metrics and details of 
facility operating budgets and expenses. A review of this information 
across the portfolio of currently supported EAR/IF Facilities reveals 
considerable variation in the reporting of performance metrics and 
financial information. More consistent reporting of information on 
support for specific research projects and related level of personnel 
effort, and sources of Facility income, for example, will enable NSF to 
more accurately assess the Facility's value to the scientific 
community. Performance metrics and financial reporting standards have 
not been specified within previous EAR/IF solicitations or via specific 
reporting requirements as part of Grant or Cooperative Agreement Terms 
and Conditions.
    The intent of this data collection is to understand facility 
performance, services and finances in a uniform manner. This will help 
NSF assess whether standard reporting for performance metrics, 
financials and specific research project support will be required for 
future awardees through proposals, annual and final reports. This 
Information is for internal oversight use by the Division of Earth 
Sciences and will not be made publicly available.
    Burden on the Public: Estimated at 80 hours per award for 14 awards 
for a total of 1,120 hours.

    Dated: November 20, 2019.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2019-25603 Filed 11-25-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P